Grimpoteuthis tuftsiVoss & Pearcy, 1990

Introduction

G. tuftsi is known only from the type description which is based on seven specimens captured in bottom trawls during a study of the fauna of the continental slope and the Tufts and Cascadia Abyssal Plains in the Northeastern Pacific. The largest individual has a total length of 475 mm.

Comments

G. tuftsi can be separated from all other members of the genus by the transverse groove in the outer surface of the shell saddle. This groove gives the shell a weak W-shape which is somewhat similar to but not as strong as in species of Luteuthis. Among other Pacific species, G. tuftsi differs from:

G. abyssicola by features of the shell (presence of shoulder blades, transverse groove and non-expanded wings).

G. bathynectes in having a transverse groove on the external surface of the shell saddle, no sexual dimorphism in sucker shape, more elongate gills, longer cirri, presence of enlarged suckers near web nodules and presence of a radula (Voss and Pearcy, 1990).

G. hippocrepium in having a transverse groove on the external surface of the shell saddle and shell shoulder blades.

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Grimpoteuthis tuftsiVoss & Pearcy, 1990.
Authored by
Richard E. Young and Michael Vecchione.
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